Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 5:00PM I want to wear this new poster for Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring (2013) in five kinds of ways. Doesn't it make you wonder who your favorite character in the movie will be? (Besides Sofia Coppola's Mood, duh!, since that's always her movie's best character.)
Who wears which shades (after the jump)?
Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 9:08PM 
Today's Must Read
If you're interested in the Harry Potter series or gender you must read this editorial "In Praise of Joanne Rowling's Hermione Granger Series". As most of y'all know I'm not really a Potter person and this article gets at my biggest problem with it. Honestly I hate the "Chosen One" crutch in genre stories... from Potter to The Matrix to Star Wars to The Bible it's so hard to escape. It usually excuses lazy characterizations and plotting. Even two franchises that I could hardly love more (Terminator and Buffy) rest on it. I wish I could declare a cross medium moratorium on it for at least 5 years. Wouldn't you love to see what kind of fictional heroics might emerge if writers couldn't use it? And wouldn't it be better for our global character if we defined heroism & specialness through something other than accidents of birth or (the worst!) predetermined fate?
Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 8:06PM By the end of each and every November I am buried in piles and piles of screeners in addition to screening invites each night (I'm not complaining) that all arrive within the same two week period (I am complaining). To give each film a fair shake you'd have to do nothing but watch movies for two weeks before ballots are due -- I'm terrified at how quickly my Critics Choice voting begins! In order to see all the films you want and rescreen those you have foggy memories of you'd have to a) give up Oscar parties, networking and campaign luncheons, b) turn down filmmaker interviews c) decline visits from family and friends and choose not to attend any holiday parties with them d) abandon your blog, your writing, and any work for clients and consulting jobs and thus all your money and e) refuse to sleep.
As I am unwilling and/or unable to give up any of those things, I admit to a certain distressing ohgodImafailure feeling each November. This is a longwinded way of saying that I'm super far behind and overwhelmed and I hope you'll all be patient though I know your first instinct is probably sympathy-free; "Bitch, you already saw Les Miz. Shut it!"
BRIEF THOUGHTS ON THREE MOVIES I HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT
Rise of the Guardians
Santa isn't the main character but he's the character I kept thinking about while trying to organize my thoughts. Santa has "naughty" and "nice" tattoos and the movie is that way, too. In every respect it's a mixed bag, no matter how many gifts it has stuffed inside. Despite confusing character design (why are tooth fairy and easter bunny so scary looking?) and steady but strange characterizations (Santa laughs a lot but there's no vocalization whatsover that might be interpreted as a "ho ho ho"), the characters were sort of endearing. I really enjoyed Sandman, who doesn't speak but communications through shape-making, and Jack Frost who is visualized here as a teenbeat icy hipster twink. The film is often gorgeous but it's also so over-designed as to be instantly forgettable as it leaps from busy lair to busy lair of these iconic characters. The story is both overly familiar and alien (what's with that 'listen to the man on the moon' messaging?) and nonsensical. Most of it all it just smells weird; that's the aroma of frenzied "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?" flop sweat. C-
Oscar? There is still plenty of debate as to which toon will win the Best Animated Feature this year, but given the strength of the field, Guardian's chaotic overkill doesn't bode well for its chances.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Logan Lerman is Charlie, an introverted troubled high school freshmen (hence the title) who finds solace in writing and literature and renewed energy for life when a group of "misfit" seniors take him under their wing. The best moments of this adaptation of the beloved best-seller resonate with tender universality but the screenplay (and I assume source material) are problematic. High school is traumatic enough without actual trauma as ever present backstory. Why all the gilding of such a delicate lily? B+/B
Oscar? Traction would be a stretch in any category given that youth oriented films, no matter how heartfelt and soulfully performed, are rarely recognized. Still... this is a significant leap forward for all three of its principles: Logan Lerman does his best work yet anchoring the film; Ezra Miller proves he has a much wider range than After School and We Need To Talk About Kevin suggested; and yes even Emma Watson -- who longtime readers will know I've been ice cold on -- impresses.
Anna Karenina
Brief Thoughts: If Joe Wright's brazenly theatrical take on this oft adapted classic about a respectable Russian wife who loses her place in society to her obsessive affair with a young soldier isn't the year's strangest film (The Master and Holy Motors fight for that honor), it's still one of the most compelling high wire acts. The stylization, which mostly turns on an ever shifting stage set and constant art and film history referencing, isn't always consistent and the film feels like an almost-musical so often it borders on torture (for musical aficionados at least). But there's something about all the eye-popping scenic changes, grand acting gestures, mobile camera, and plot riffing rather than storytelling that give the film a propulsive self-absorbed energy that dovetails perfectly with the stubborn sexual obsessiveness of Anna herself. B+
Oscar? The film will undoubtedly prove too divisive for major prize-gathering -- hell, I'm the target audience and even I am of two minds about it -- but it still has a fighting shot at the eye candy categories or, as we like to call them, the Moulin Rouge! prizes (a film it often recalls). If the actor's branch is feeling daring, they might want to take a closer look at Keira Knightley's huge star turn. She's getting braver and more adept at stylization all the time. She's the ideal model for Joe Wright's picture-making. Knightley will never be everyone's favorite actress but there's much to admire in this gutsy editorial posing performance.
Recent Reviews / Discussions
Les Misérables (first screening)
Lincoln (on the podcast)
Skyfall (review)
The Master (with a little Holy Motors thrown in)
Silver Linings Playbook (Beau's review)
Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 8:32PM Hey, why didn't anyone tell me there was a new Sofia Coppola movie on the horizon? Or did I just forgot. Nevertheless... The Bling Ring is coming and its 'stars' are walking right at'cha.
Taissa Farmiga, Israel Broussard, Emma Watson, Katie Chang & Claire Alys Julien "The Bling Ring"
Well... not exactly. Sofia Coppola is the star this time out since this band of moneyed kids is an ensemble and none of them have the hefty screen presence (yet) of a Kirsten Dunst or a Scarlett Johansson. And besides, even in the starriest of circumstances Sofia is at least the top billed co-star of all or her movies, having such a distinct auteur voice.
The Bling Ring is the name of the thieving group (above) who burglarize celebrity homes. Expect starry cameos, including our beloved Kiki (who previously headlined Coppola's Marie Antoinette and The Virgin Suicides), Paris Hilton and possibly Lindsay Lohan and Orlando 'Legolas' Bloom among them. No word about Scarlett Johansson but if both Scarjo and Kiki lent their dreamy girl star wattage The Bling Ring may well be the apotheosis of Coppola.
Sofia has been accused of not stretching enough safely ensconced in her sheltered moneyed world of discontent. First there was the hazy teenage girls trapped and scrutinized by the gaze of others (Her The Godfather Part III experience via The Virgin Suicides. You can see it, right?) then the girl in the orbit of real celebrities who hangs out bored and unloved and disconnected in hotel rooms (Lost in Translation) then the moneyed girl born into great privilege, accussed of narcissism and disconnected from everyday living (Marie Antoinette) and finally a star driving around in circles, vaguely aware that they need to find new roads to travel (Somewhere). If you're inclined to project whole interior lives onto the unknowable rich and famous -- and frankly, who isn't? -- well, Coppola will make it easy for you.
But the synopsis of The Bling Ring sounds like newish terrain, albeit still adjacent to the world she knows all too well.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 12:54AM For today's Red Carpet Convo, I'm joined by both of my usual coconspirators, Kurt and Jose. In this episode Kurt will lose all his motor skills, Jose will reveal psychic fashion powers, and I will prove my abject sports stupidity. Enjoy!
Nathaniel: We'll start by pretending we're in London -- which none of us are (we've got the East Coast and South America in the house) -- to visit a BAFTA function.
Kurt: I'm there -- un-straightening my teeth as we speak.
Jose: it's rainy and grey down here so consider me in Sweeney Todd "no place like London" mood
CHENO, HER ROYAL ASSNESS, MRS BEN AFFLECK, NICKI, and MLP
Nathaniel: At first I was all "Why are ALL the stars out for a "Brits to Watch" award -- the recipients of which (who?) are quite outshadowed by the starpower -- but then i realized it was hosted by the royals Prince & Kate which explains it.
Kurt: Hey, excuses to dress up... I thought for sure we'd be chatting up the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 premiere.
Nathaniel: Patience, would be skydiver, patience. So before we speak of individuals I must say that one of my favorite things is when all the beauties wear different colors. Rainbow is the absolute best red carpet color.
Kurt: yes...lovely little spectrum here. Are we going to play Guess The Bum? Because my eyes can't focus on anything else
Jose: Someone should tell this to the Red Globes, the Purple Oscars and the Black SAGs
Nathaniel: Exactly! And it's quite representative too. I couldn't spot any hive-mind aesthetic at the Bafta shindig
Kurt: There i go again, getting ahead of things...we can stick with the color convo sorry
Jose: I'm curious as to who chose the guests though, why the hell is Mary Louise Parker there and not Cate or Meryl or Kate?
Nathaniel: I can't help you there. As to guess the bum. C'mon on. Look at it. Y'all know who that is.
Jose: Her royal ass-ness
Kurt: I figured
Nathaniel: Jenny's block has moved to London
Kurt: Can we talk for a sec about her music? I'd like opinions from the group
Nathaniel: i have none. Jose?
Jose: meh, it's fun when you're drunk
Kurt: now there's a quote. put that on the album cover
Nathaniel: Blurb Whore!
Jose: and 'my spinning instructor loves her too.'
Kurt: hahaha. All i'm saying is, i'd have a hard time takin' criticisms from her assness, if i were an American Idol. the end. but, she is stunning. that skin
Nathaniel: I always feel like JLo is always trying too hard. I mean that dress is SO busy with the cutouts and the arm decor.
Jose: she is an American Idol though, she embodies everything pop music has become about: mediocre voice, crazy antics and lots of merchandise
Kurt: oh yea her fashion is nuts...remember that thing from "Savage Beauty"?
Nathaniel: I'd prefer not to. Kristin Chenoweth's dress is reminding me of something and I can't think what for the life of me. That color combo...
Jose: OMG it's reminding you of Dazzler, just say it
Nathaniel: SHUT IT. I have retired my Dazzler obsession. It was a weird K-Hole of spring 2011.
Jose: Hahaha the moment I saw her, I thought of Dazz and I blame you Nathaniel!
Nathaniel: again: RETIRED. much like Jennifer Garner until quite recently.
Jose: Cheno reminded me of when Nicole won the Globe for MR!
Nathaniel: Jose you have a sick memory. Photographic so long as there's an actress and a dress
Jose: I chose to take that as a compliment. My friends are annoyed by my fashion memory, they think I'm like a version of Lisbeth Salander who's into Vogue
Nathaniel: Maybe Cheno's dress reminds me of some high-end old-school hotel ballroom corporate function draping? I dunno. it's really bugging me. It's so old money whilst being completely boring.
Kurt: I'm getting lampshade-cum-business drape
Jose: I kinda like it though, it's very Cher at Studio 54 but I think she needed higher heels to pull it off better.
Nathaniel: Hmmm. I can't imagine Cher in it unless there were like a headpiece with it.
Kurt: i don't think chenoweth should ever try for cher anything
Nathaniel: Cheno does "Half Breed". JUST IMAGINE IT.
Jose: LOL
Kurt: i am NOT feeling this bolt of fabric Jennifer Garner is rocking. my goodness. she's drowning in fabric. save her!
Jose: you just broke my heart Kurt J. Gar's YSL is the thing couturier wet dreams are made of. It's so simple it's just perfect
Kurt: well let's get something straight here: in all likelihood you are a much better judge of fashion than me, but from this angle, I see a fabric attack
Jose: but it's supposed to be about movement, it's very flowy and watery. Imagine some sort of Greek goddess thing going on.
Kurt: i get that...your explanation is kinda working...
Nathaniel: I was going to say that i love the color on Garner so much but maybe anything other than Elektra Red I love on her because I just can't... you thought i was obsesed with Dazzler? You dont wanna know about my Elektra thing. Hated Garner doing her so much.
Jose: she pulls off color quite well, remember that crazy orange thing she wore to the Oscars?
Kurt: that was gorg
Jose: It was! but it was such a crazy Fanta color that few people would've dared to use it. Sigh. I miss her at the Oscars, never knew what the hell she was doing there but she always looked stunning
Red is just easy I guess, like Halle and nude color
Nathaniel: or everyone in black.
Kurt: oh god, i just finally caught the arm thing on JLo's dress. what is wrong with her?
But wait there's more! Nicole's goddess scoop, Nathaniel plays Marco Polo, Swoosie Kurtz is lactose tolerant, and Jennifer Aniston's secret messaging.
